'Labor Day' a sticky tug on the heartstrings

7:09 PM,
Jan. 29, 2014

Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet star in 'Labor Day.'

Written by

Bill Goodykoontz
| Gannett

Jason Reitman directs Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin in "Labor Day," which sounds like a potent combination all the way around.

If only it played out that way. Reitman, whose credits include "Juno" and "Up in the Air," is a confident, intriguing director. Brolin is an outstanding actor. Winslet is whatever the step beyond that is.

But in this film, for which Reitman wrote the script based on the Joyce Maynard novel, they combine for a big stew of syrupy goo. ...